Notebook: 'A Big Game'

The starters will see the most playing time in the preseason this Saturday; quarterbacks get extra first-team reps; injury updates.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- When it comes to the preseason, the third game is typically the highlight.

With the starters playing up to three quarters, it's as close as it gets to the regular season.

“This will be the most extended play our No. 1s will get," Head Coach John Fox said Wednesday. "I’d prefer they get in the habit of coming out after halftime. How far into the third quarter they get will be based on how far the game’s going."

After Thursday's practice, the head coach admitted he was a little disappointed in the team's performance in a one-point loss to Dallas on Aug. 17, but was more impressed with last week's win at home against Buffalo.

The team is anxious to make an even better impression this Saturday.

“It’s a big game for us," Rahim Moore said. "Seattle’s a good team with a lot of talent, and like Coach said, it’s the time for us to show what we’re all about. We had a great week of practice; we have a great game plan, so I can’t wait to rock and roll on Saturday.”

FIRST-TEAM REPS AVAILABLE

After Kyle Orton was excused from the end of Thursday's practice due to a personal issue, both Tim Tebow and Brady Quinn got some extra opportunities with the first-unit offense.

Fox said the two signal callers performed well in Orton's absence, and it was good practice for situations that could arise in the season.

"There was a little adjustment there after Kyle left, but it’s a next-man-up approach," Fox said. "Whether it’s for personal reasons or for any other reason -- whether you’re second, third, or fourth on the depth chart, you’re one, two or three plays away from being the guy. You’ve always got to be prepared for that. The season brings all kinds of interesting paths, and you’ve got to be ready for them.”

MOORE ON HIS HIT

Last Saturday against the Bills, Moore was flagged for unneccessary roughness after what was deemed a hit on a defenseless receiver.

On Thursday, the rookie again addressed the hit.

"I don’t mean any harm to anybody, and I want to play the game right," he said. "I learned from it, and I learned what to do next time in that situation, and I’m going to move on.”

Brian Dawkins said yesterday (http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Dawkins-Breaks-it-Down/77c5ef6e-7aa2-4b18-b2e4-184ab41ed9e7) that he gave Moore some advice after the play, and the rookie acknowledged the help he got from the veteran.

"We did finalize how to avoid those mistakes and how to learn from them and move on," he said.

“It is the rules, and you’ve got to follow all rules and regulations."

INJURY UPDATES

Mario Haggan was back participating in practice Thursday, and David Bruton was watching the session from the sideline after both suffered injuries in last Saturday's win against the Bills.

“He’s done well," Fox said of Bruton. "Medically, when he’s cleared, he’ll be back out there. At this point, that’s not the case yet, but he’s recovering nicely."

As for Haggan, Fox said the linebacker is easing back into action.

"It’ll be a game-time decision whether he plays this week or not, but it was a step in the right direction -- the fact that he got to practice.”